The Coolest Santa Cruz Breweries to Have a Great Beer

Are you planning on visiting Santa Cruz, California? If so, you probably know that this is a great place for delicious craft beer. Regardless of whether you enjoy ales, IPAs, Saisons, lagers, sours, or the occasional pilsner, there are plenty of brewers who will gladly welcome you into their taproom.

You can find amazing brewing companies in the Santa Cruz, Capitola, and Soquel areas. But, where should you go if you are looking for the best dog-friendly beer garden, the most delicious food, or a place with space for big groups? 

Take a look at some of the best breweries in the Santa Cruz County area, and make sure you don’t miss these craft breweries during your trip!

1. Humble Sea Brewing

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Without a doubt, one of the best Santa Cruz breweries you need to check out is called Humble Sea Brewing. This is one of the most popular breweries on the West Coast and is known for having a nautical theme. This is a company that supports non-profit organizations that focus on ocean conservation, so you know your money is going to go to a good cause.

If you like hoppy beers, this gem on Swift Street is for you. They are known for their pale ales and triple IPAs, but you can also enjoy some delicious stouts, ciders, mixed-culture barrel-aged, and sours. They also have a delicious food menu as well. You will probably find some tacos, all-American BBQ, and empanadas on the menu.

The tasting room is also dog-friendly, and they have yoga classes from time to time. Don’t forget to enjoy the outdoor patio as well! If you love their beers and want to fill the cooler at your vacation rental, they have free local delivery.

2. Discretion Brewing

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Discretion Brewing is frequently listed as one of the top breweries in the area. It isn’t just known for its beer, because it has an impressive food menu as well. As the name suggests, the brewpub focuses on using sustainable practices. The menu is all farm-to-table, so this is a great location if you want to try food from some of the local farmers. 

Of course, this is a brewery that has an impressive array of beers as well. They use local ingredients to make the beer, and draught brews include hazy IPA, German-style pilsners, and California lager. They have a large indoor and outdoor dining area for you to kick back and relax, and there’s live music and trivia nights so you know you’ll have a great time if you enjoy a beer at this location.

3. Steel Bonnet Brewing Company

This taproom and beer garden offers a great range of seasonal and year-round brews from their intimate microbrewery. The flagship “Hop the Heck” IPA is a superbly balanced West Coast IPA that you won’t want to miss, and the creamy stout is a sweet and bitter treat.

Bring your appetite because gourmet food trucks regularly swing by to feed hungry beer lovers. There’s also plenty of entertainment on offer including live music and trivia nights. If you’d rather drink in the comfort of your own vacation rental, you’ll appreciate the to-go option.

4. New Bohemia Brewing Co

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Known as NUBO, New Bohemia Brewing is an internationally inspired brewing company. All of the beers have a Bohemian theme to them, which means they come from the Czech Republic. This brewery strives to adhere to some of the oldest traditions of beer making, and it shines through in the great beers they offer.

They are located right on the coast, so you can take in the salt air as you relax in the Beer Garden. Of course, they also have delicious food. This spot is known for its Kamado grill, so you can enjoy some pulled pork, sausage, and brisket. They also have some delicious sauces to go with your food.

You can also enjoy some of their delicious beer if you aren’t in the local area. They will ship to just about anywhere. For these reasons, consider giving this brewery a try.

5. Santa Cruz Mountain Brewing

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Just across the street from Humble Sea Brewing is Santa Cruz Mountain Brewing Company. This taproom is known for its organic beers, so this is a great location for those who are environmentally conscious. They strive to use sustainable practices that protect the Earth and the ocean. In particular, they pay attention to Monterey Bay, which is close by.

All of the ingredients are locally sourced, and they work hard to create some of the best microbrews in the area. Keep in mind that this also means the menu can change from week to week, so be sure to check back from time to time to see what else is on the menu. They have an outdoor garden and an art wall, and welcome your furry friends. They try to display art from some of the local artists in the area.

The menu is unique. You can find pretzels, Market salads, tofu, and even Banh Mi sandwiches! They also have food trucks that swing by from time to time.

6. Gilman Brewing

This brewing company has been going from strength to strength since it opened in 2015, and the new Santa Cruz branch joins a lineup of three other highly successful taprooms.

The eclectic beer list means that there’s something on offer for every taste, making it a popular spot with larger groups. Try the fruity wheat beer or punchy porter, or stick to classic IPAs. If you’re brave, order a “Missouri Lean” — this 10% beer will knock your socks off.

Wood-fired pizzas, plates, and snacks are all offered and are the perfect accompaniment to Gilman’s brews.

7. Sante Adairius Rustic Ales

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If you are looking for something a bit different, then you may want to swing by Sante Adairius Santa Cruz Portal to try some delicious rustic ales. This is a brewery that is consistently on the list of the top breweries in the region, and they have some delicious food you can enjoy. There are multiple locations, but they have one in Capitola. Therefore, it isn’t that far away.

This is also a brewery that has a strong social media presence. When they have a new beer coming out, they usually announce it. Then, there is a quick rush for their fans to try it, so you’ll definitely want to be on top of your game if you want to try one of their new ales before they are sold out. 

This is definitely a brewery that you do not want to miss, so make sure you add this one to your list if you want to try some of the best beer in the area.

8. Shanty Shack Brewing

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This is a locally owned and operated brewery that has a lot of interesting events from time to time. This is a great place to go if you like live music, and you can also find some local artists at work here from time to time. They also have plenty of outdoor games on the patio, a fire pit, and numerous other events that take place. This is also a brewery that welcomes children and dogs, and they also offer food from local food trucks.

This was one of the first breweries in the area to offer free beer delivery services, and they still do so. If you order your beer online, it will be delivered in a few days. They also have a drive-through beer pickup option.

The menu is known for its sweet and sour beers. They have beers featuring tangerine, pineapple, and raspberry. They do have an IPA or two on the menu as well. You can also find Belgian beers, porters, stouts, and pilsners. All their cans and bottles are designed with unique artwork that you will not want to throw away!

9. Woodhouse Blending & Brewing

For a creative take on craft beer, Woodhouse is the go-to brewery in Santa Cruz. Draft beers incorporate interesting flavors with classic brews — try the Ocelot which brings together citra, cashmere, and riwaka hops, or the “Spin Drive” which uses unfiltered wheat to get its delicious taste.

The food served here is equally as tasty and creative — dishes are inspired by Brazilian cuisine and pair perfectly with the brews on offer. Community is at the heart of Woodhouse, and you’ll find lots of events happening each month.

10. Seabright Brewery

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If you are looking for some delicious beer in Santa Cruz County, you will also want to swing by Seabright Brewery. Also called Seabright Social, this is a great place to hang out with your family members and friends. They have indoor and outdoor areas, and they have a wide variety of drinks on the menu. In addition to delicious beer, they have wine, spirits, cocktails, and cider. They also have special events that happen from time to time.

This is also a great brewery if you want to bring your dogs to hang out with you. It is one of the most popular spots in the neighborhood, and it is definitely something that you need to add to your list if you want to try the best beer in Santa Cruz.

Find the Best Breweries for True Beer Lovers

In the end, these are just a few of the best breweries in the local area. You can find them in Soquel, Capital, and even Watsonville. They have awesome tasting rooms, and many of these local breweries support charitable organizations. Therefore, this is a great place to get some good beer when Beer Thirty rolls around. 

Consider checking out a brewpub or two if you are looking for a good time during your next trip to Santa Cruz County. These are breweries that will welcome the whole family, so make sure you do not miss out!